"Rural is an asset" - The value of context for rural school district leaders

"Rural is an asset" - The value of context for rural school district leaders

Let us know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733488/fan_mail/new] With nearly 500,000 students in rural areas in North Carolina, our state is responsible for educating more students in rural communities than almost any other state in the country. These students and the schools they attend need distinct types of support and leaders who recognize how to best help them succeed. On this episode, we are joined by someone who has built a career in equipping school leaders to meet the needs of their school communities through partnerships. Dr. Matt Militello is the founding director of the East Carolina University International Education Doctoral program and holds the Wells Fargo Distinguished Professor position in Educational Leadership at ECU. As part of his work, he has secured millions of dollars in grant funding to train school leaders in Northeast North Carolina and expand partnerships among school leaders there. Listen in as NCSBA’s Ben Christoph sits down with Matt to talk about how school district leaders in rural areas like northeastern North Carolina and beyond can build strategic partnerships to meet the unique needs of their school communities. Learning about community schools in Wales [https://www.ednc.org/perspective-learning-about-community-schools-in-wales-resolving-the-tension-between-hyperlocal-initiatives-and-standardized-approaches/] (EdNC Article) ECU College of Education Rural Education Initiative [https://education.ecu.edu/rei/] (Program Website) NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a member-driven association that supports the school governance team—school board members, superintendents, senior administrative staff and board assistants—in its complex leadership role. We help develop, communicate, and advocate for the perspective of North Carolina school districts. Follow NCSBA on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ncsba/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/NCSchoolBoardsAssociation/], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/north-carolina-school-boards-association/] for more updates.

"All the kids belong to all of us" with Dr. John Hodge

Let us know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733488/fan_mail/new] Overseeing student accountability, achievement, and success are core parts of being a local school leader. Although this principle is simple enough at face value, it can be complicated to put into practice. On this episode, we are joined by an expert who is known for bringing practical solutions to the world of student support and achievement. Dr. John Hodge is the Chief Inspiration Officer of An Achievable Dream, [https://achievabledream.org/] a nonprofit organization that partners with public school districts in under-served communities around southeast Virginia. He’s also the co-founder of An Achievable Dream Urban Learning Leadership Center, providing education consulting to school districts across the country. NCSBA’s Ben Christoph sits down with John to talk about the best ways school district leaders can facilitate student success and support school accountability.  NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a member-driven association that supports the school governance team—school board members, superintendents, senior administrative staff and board assistants—in its complex leadership role. We help develop, communicate, and advocate for the perspective of North Carolina school districts. Follow NCSBA on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ncsba/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/NCSchoolBoardsAssociation/], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/north-carolina-school-boards-association/] for more updates.

County & School Board Committee Gets Results on Budget

Let us know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733488/fan_mail/new] Respect, trust, and teamwork. These three words are taught and lived out every day in our public schools but often get lost in business between school boards and county boards. What can local leaders do to overcome differences, align their priorities, and – most importantly – get results for students in their district? In Dare County, they have answered this question through a series of meetings they call the 5-on-5 Committee. Dare County School Board Chair David Twiddy, Board Chair of the Dare County Commissioners Bob Woodard, and Dare County Commissioner Mary Ellon Ballance recently sat down with NCSBA’s Justice Warren to discuss the county and school district’s ongoing collaboration on annual budget talks and the positive outcomes for their students. NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a member-driven association that supports the school governance team—school board members, superintendents, senior administrative staff and board assistants—in its complex leadership role. We help develop, communicate, and advocate for the perspective of North Carolina school districts. Follow NCSBA on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ncsba/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/NCSchoolBoardsAssociation/], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/north-carolina-school-boards-association/] for more updates.

Stronger Networks + Community Collaboration = Opportunities for Students

Let us know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733488/fan_mail/new] The best leaders know how to make the right connections and build strong networks in order to get the best results. This is especially true in the work of a school board member, where partnerships mean success for your district and better outcomes for students. To zoom in on one example of a North Carolina school district partnering with other local leaders and entities, we’re joined by Wade Auman, a deputy superintendent with Montgomery County Schools. Wade discusses how he and his district’s leadership have built partnerships with their local county commissioners and community college in order to expand their career and technical education offerings. Listen in to the conversation between Wade Auman and NCSBA’s Christine Scheef.  NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a member-driven association that supports the school governance team—school board members, superintendents, senior administrative staff and board assistants—in its complex leadership role. We help develop, communicate, and advocate for the perspective of North Carolina school districts. Follow NCSBA on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ncsba/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/NCSchoolBoardsAssociation/], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/north-carolina-school-boards-association/] for more updates.

Communications as a Cornerstone: Proactive Tips to Avoid Crisis

Let us know what you think! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1733488/fan_mail/new] Are you prepared to respond to a reporter’s phone call about a polarizing post made on your school district’s Facebook page? Does your school board have a plan for communicating with your community about upcoming district budget cuts? How will you talk with the students and families affected by the proposed closing of their school? Are there issues that concern you—even if they haven’t yet reached the public eye? To answer those questions and more, we’re joined by Thom Fladung, a managing partner for Hennes Communications. Thom has more than 33 years of daily newspaper and digital media experience and shares his expert insight on managing communications in today’s landscape. Listen in to the conversation between Thom and NCSBA Assistant Director of Communications Ben Christoph. NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a member-driven association that supports the school governance team—school board members, superintendents, senior administrative staff and board assistants—in its complex leadership role. We help develop, communicate, and advocate for the perspective of North Carolina school districts. Follow NCSBA on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ncsba/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/NCSchoolBoardsAssociation/], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/north-carolina-school-boards-association/] for more updates.